Texas 3-Step: Spurs lose on final shot, Rockets roll

Mavericks battle Celtics in two-overtime thriller

Utah Jazz point guard Mo Williams (5) celebrates after scoring the game winning shoot an the end of their NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, Dec.12, 2012, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz defeated the Spurs 99-96. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Houston Rockets' Chandler Parsons (25) goes to the basket in front of Washington Wizards' Emeka Okafor, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 99-93. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) goes to the basket in front of Washington Wizards' Martell Webster (9) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 99-93. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

STAR OF THE GAME: Utah's big man duo of Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap were the co-stars of last night's game. They combined to score 45 points on 20-of-38 shooting while grabbing 16 rebounds and dishing out nine assists. Had the result been different, Tim Duncan would have gotten the nod for his throwback 22-point, 21-rebound, six-block performance, but the Jazz got big buckets from Jefferson and Millsap in the closing minutes while Duncan didn't have a single field goal in the fourth quarter.

WINNING MOMENT: Down two with 45 seconds left, the Jazz ran a high screen and roll with Mo Williams and Millsap with Randy Foye and Gordon Hayward spacing the floor in both corners and Jefferson waiting to cut off the left block. The Spurs used a down pick-and-roll coverage, with Boris Diaw (Millsap's man) showing hard on William and forcing him to the sidelines while Parker fought over the screen. This left Millsap open for the the pocket pass on the roll at the foulline. Millsap caught the ball on the move and got off a beautiful floater over the top of a second-late Duncan that tied the game. After Tony Parker missed a jumper on San Antonio's next possession, Williams missed a three for the Jazz, but Utah got the offensive rebound and set up a game-winning shot attempt with a timeout. It wasn't much of a play; just Williams isolated on the right wing, Danny Green, who had a game saving stop on Jeremy Lin two nights before, in front of him. Williams timed everything perfectly, stepping into his shot with two seconds left and letting it fly at just the right time, allowing the ball to swish through the net right after the red lights came on.

NUMBERS GAME: This was just the fourth time in Duncan's Hall-of-Fame career that he had at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks. The last time it happened was against the Hornets in 2002. Duncan played at least 45 minutes in all three of those previous games and he shot a combined 43% from the field. Duncan shot 47% last night and played just 33 minutes. The old dog may not be able to learn any new tricks, but his old ones are as effective as they've ever been.

NUMBERS GAME II: The Spurs don't get out-assisted often, but they did last night. The Jazz had a very good 27 helpers while the Spurs had just 18 assists, their second fewest assists on the year. Minus-9 is the largest negative assist differential that the Spurs have had this season.

#TRENDING: Thanks to the additions of Williams and Randy Foye, the Jazz finally have shooting threats to stretch the floor for their big men. Their lack of spacing last season was the main reason why the Spurs bounced them from the playoff so easily in the first round of the post-season. After shooting 32% from three last season, the fourth-worst percentage in basketball, the Jazz have upped their three-point percentage to 37.6%, which is the eighth-best mark in the league this season (the Spurs are seventh at 37.8%). Now opposing defenses have to honor Utah's perimeter players, giving their big men more room to operate and their offense has seen an increase in efficiency because of it.

ROCKETS 99, WIZARDS 93

STAR OF THE GAME: After missing Monday's game with the Spurs with an ankle injury, Harden returned to action and put together his third efficient performance in a row since he put up a stinker against the Lakers. Harden had 31 points on just 20 shots, getting to the line nine times to increase his efficiency. Harden's recent bout with turnovers is a bit concerning, but it's another one of those side effects that come with an increased workload.

WINNING MOMENT: The Rockets started the fourth quarter with a four point lead and even though the Wizards never went away, Houston was able to sustain their lead with some timely shot-making by everybody on the team.

NUMBERS GAME: After a brief return of Linsanity, Jeremy Lin was back to being a middling sidekick last night. Lin had a decent game, putting up 10 points, six assists and five rebounds, but his explosion against the Spurs with Harden out may have proven that this pair is less than ideal. It did seem like Kevin McHale was tinkering his rotation a bit to keep Lin and Harden in at different times to maximize Lin's touches. I guess the numbers game here is that there is only one basketball to go around, and that the Rockets are still trying to figure out the most efficient way to use their two best offensive players.

#TRENDING: With the loss, the Wizards dropped to a putrid 3-16 on the season, but their record is not totally indicative of their performance. Don't get me wrong, they're one of the worst offensive teams I have ever seen, but with Nene back they have at least one talented goto option and they muddy things up just enough defensively to remain competitive. Their loss last night was their eighth of the season by six points or less.

CELTICS 117, MAVERICKS 115 (2OT)

STAR OF THE GAME: Rajon Rondo turned in one of those performances that make it clear that he's taken over as the new face of the Celtics. Aside from his embarrassing attempt at a game-winning shot at the end of regulation, Rondo played a brilliant game. He was hitting his jumpshots when he had good looks, he was getting good penetration against Dallas' defense and as always, he got everybody else involved. Rondo was a warrior on the floor, playing 53 minutes of all-out basketball. He put up 16 points, 15 assists, nine rebounds and three steals against the Mavericks and was Boston's heart and soul on both ends all night.

WINNING MOMENT: After missing a potential game-winning shot at the end of regulation (due in large part to some great defense by Derek Fisher), Rondo made up for himself by getting the Celtics a three-point cushion with 35 seconds left in double overtime with a drive to the rim. Boston also had a chance to win the game at the end of the first overtime but Paul Pierce missed his patented elbow jumper, due again to some great defense by the Mavericks, this time by Dahntay Jones.

NUMBERS GAME: Being benched for Derek Fisher is not something you'd expect to happen to a 25-year old point guard in a very important contract year like Darren Collison, but the youngster has handled the situation well, and he has produced in his new reserve role. Thanks to the overtimes, as well as Fisher fouling out, Collison was able to get starters minutes in this game (37) and he delivered 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go along with six assists, five rebounds and three steals. Collison also had seven turnovers, which is a large stain on what may end up being a corner turning kind of game for the UCLA product. This was just the fifth game of Collison's career in which he notched at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. Oddly enough, Collison also had eight turnovers in one of those games.

#TRENDING: Jason Terry first game against his now former team didn't go so well for him, other than the fact that his team got the win. Terry was just 3-of-10 from the field and 1-for-6 from deep against Dallas and he's shooting just 23% over his last three games.